Shirley Bassey & Neil Diamond - Play Me / Diamond - Sweet Caroline / Longfellow Serenade (1974 TV)

1974 (Neil Diamond's COMPLETE performance on the Shirley Bassey 1974 TV Special. Shirley and Neil sing a duet of Diamond's hit song, 'Play Me' and then Diamond sings two moe of his Hits, Sweet Caroline and Longfellow Serenade.)
ABOUT the song, Play Me:
"Play Me" is a 1972 song by Neil Diamond from his album Moods. The song, the first single from Moods, was recorded in February 1972 in Los Angeles. It was released as a single in May 1972 and peaked at #11 in the United States in September of that year. It was listed by Billboard as #27 of his best 30 songs.
LYRICS:
She was morning
And I was night time
I one day woke up
To find her lying
Beside my bed
I softly said
"Come take me"
For I've been lonely
In need of someone
As though I'd done
Someone wrong somewhere
I don't know where
Come lately
You are the sun
I am the moon
You are the words
I am the tune
Play me
Song she sang to me
Song she brang to me
Words that rang in me
Rhyme that sprang from me
Warmed the night
And what was right
Became me
You are the sun
I am the moon
You are the words
I am the tune
Play me
And so it was
That I came to travel
Upon a road
That was thorned and narrow
Another place
Another grace
Would save me
You are the sun
I am the moon
You are the word
I am the tune
Play me
ABOUT the song, Sweet Caroline:
"Sweet Caroline" is a pop song written and performed by Neil Diamond and officially released on September 16, 1969, as a single. Diamond revealed the inspiration for "Sweet Caroline" was President John F. Kennedy's daughter, Caroline Kennedy, who was eleven years old at the time. Diamond sang the song to her at her 50th birthday celebration in 2007. The song reached #4 on the USA Billboard chart and eventually went platinum for sales of one million singles. The song reached #8 on the UK charts.
ABOUT the song, Longfellow Serenade:
"Longfellow Serenade" is the title of a 1974 song by the American singer-songwriter Neil Diamond. This song spent two weeks at number five on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in November. The song became Diamond's second number-one hit on the Billboard Easy Listening chart, following his 1972 single, "Song Sung Blue". Diamond said, "occasionally I like using a particular lyrical style which, in this case, lent itself naturally to telling the story of a guy who woos his woman with poetry." The title of the song is a reference to the 19th century American poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.

[@jamescallahan7]

Have never seen a sexier duet. Beautiful music, voices and the way they look at each other. Beautiful all around !

[@lmoran2011]

Love this!❤

[@beautifulflames]

And here am I thinking that "you don't bring me flowers with Barbara" was the best yet, until I see this video, wow equally amazing, wow they can sing, their body language is as passionate as their voices.

[@lmoran2011]

Not in my humble opinion. I refer him and Bassey!

[@jodemarc8493]

Now THAT is a duet done by two gifted people!

[@priscillachung-hacker5923]

Stupendous! That was a sizzling performance! The way they looked at each other!!!! Absolutely beautiful. Loved every second of that performance.

[@daracolakoglu841]

Folks, I wanna take the clock back...I have been loving both of them for 40 years. Fuck time.....I will never stop loving them.

[@user-lb2fv9gx8z]

Great songwriting A deep thinker love your singing voice You’re a very sensual man Bless you and your wife❤

[@heavensgate4852]

I think Neil Diamond fell in love with Shirley on the spot with that Duet. He melts at the end.

[@jackphillips863]

How can this be real? They were fully dressed. You can understand the words. Wonderful and timeless songs...well, hell.

[@angeliquemarquis]

PRICELESS 🎉 I REMEMBER RIDING HOME 🏡 IN THE FRONT SEAT OF OUR WHITE PEUGOT 305 CAR CLIMBING UP MOUNT AUREOL IN FREETOWN IN SIERRA LEONE 🇸🇱 IN WEST AFRICA AS WE WERE HEADING HOME… MY DAD LOVED NEIL DIAMOND, BRUCE HORNSBY AND THE RANGE AND “BORN IN THE USA” - MAN THAT ALBUM 💿 GOT WORN OUT IN THAT CARS CASSETTE TAPE PLAYER…!!!🇺🇸🥂💋

[@maryannecorll1994]

❤

[@Tiberius291]

I'm a huge Neil Diamond and Shirley Bassey fan, two legends, combining those two together is nuclear. ☢☣ 💖

[@denise6896]

I didn't know you could do that fully clothed. Wow what chemistry.

[@jaylayland2867]

I'd love to have a woman look at me again like that. Smoookin hot

[@johndevlin347]

Well said

[@kenavo2103]

Both are magic individually but together they are just divine¨.

[@Junjo11]

totally agree!!!!!!

[@yvonnesaxena966]

One of the most beautiful and touching duets of all time. Love Neil Diamond and Shirley Bassey. The greats of yester years.

[@LesleyDewar]

Goosebumps. Love this. It's the sound of our passionate youth. Never gets old. Nor do we, with this music.

[@victoriachinavare5535]

He can sing with any one. Their both great. I have loved Neil since I was a little girl. My mom had every one of Neils albums. She passed in 2020. I will always love him. 🌹

[@1959gail]

You can see the chemistry between them definately, it's lovely!

[@MASCARIOCO]

WOW!! OMG!!, this is the Royal Standard for intensity. What chemistry!!

[@shomenathmunshi162]

What a performance. And their chemistry. Unbelievable 😍

[@MarieClaireBeckx]

The duet of Neil with Shirley Bassey is full of chemistry 💗. Both are wonderful great singers 🎤🎵🎸🎼🎶

[@jobucknall1408]

My two favourite singers together love Neil Diamonds voice he's my favourite male singer. Dame Shirley Bassey is the greatest female singer and my favourite performer of all time, she is a living legend.

[@robertross3026]

One of my all time great performances. 2 great legends.

[@ginnyking9592]

Absolutely wonderful, I could watch this over and over. Such chemistry that one could only dream of ❤️❤️❤️

[@PJ-bk3uv]

I agree with everything you say When I saw them I was amazed I did not stop playing that over and over 4 weeks it was like a drug

[@kathleenfranks6513]

I’m only 5 years younger than Neil and was busy raising kids so didn’t get to listen to much music / but always loved his songs. Never realized how sensual he is until I saw this video and the one with Barbra Streisand. I just realized I’m old but not dead!!! He is wonderful!! ❤️

[@lmoran2011]

I love the video with Neil and Shirley. Talk about HOT! Barbara good, but just not sensual like Neil and Shirley. I could watch them all night!

[@zahraflower6231]

As a child I thought Shirley was the most beautiful woman in the world with a voice that made you sit up and pay attention. This performance with the handsome Neil Diamond was like foreplay. Whew!

[@mizkel4604]

Her eyes speak volumes!

[@Blue_Dun]

Right

[@nicolefestraets3832]

Prachtig

[@patrickstarnes2355]

For sure that same night they made love.

[@corinaligiapatrascu6521]

Thank you, Neil Diamond!! God bless you!

[@patcook4010]

I feel like I hit the jackpot finding Neil Diamond. Never got tired of his music!!

[@jeancoombs4241]

Whew he blew my mind ,how she didn’t faint .. I would have had an orgasm

[@thebetshite5264]

wasn't born yet but watching these feels like magic..

[@marymanning5150]

I saw him in 1972 in London 3 weeks after my son was born. He was magic.

[@marylvaughan4868]

From Mary to Mary, I'm in Texas. It's 1:16 am. I should have gone to bed. Instead I'm watching this moment. This is excruciating. Wished I could have met him. ♥️

[@TERRAINEKAYGEDDESTUCKER-co3ce]

Thank you Miss.Shirley Bassey and Mr.Neil Diamond this is love should be love songs are back again.

[@honest4sure]

Shirley Bassey is flawless. An icon. An institution. Where are today's singers that emulate or cover her? Diamond is timeless. Still gives great shows.

[@bodhimom1]

Discovered her when I lived in London 1970 - gorgeous voice and she was adorable!

[@SuperGrandlady]

Neil Diamond is the best , when I was a young woman , back in the early 1070 , I used to watch and listen to him. Now I am in my 70.s and still love to watch and listen to Neil Diamond.!!

[@scarfhs1]

First they made beautiful music together, then later they made beautiful music together.

[@santuccipontarelli3763]

A voice like his comes only once in a Millennium Neil Diamond 💎 You are loved ❤️💎💎💎💎💎

[@murraytocker5081]

Wow Neil and Shirley , amazing together , both voices special

[@lordborgia]

Steam of a song! Absolute masterclass of duet...but that kiss was everything and more!

[@christofelayamiseba1961]

I remember this song when I was just a little boy in papua ❤

[@patrickgallimore6896]

Neil's voice is other-worldly...It's soothing and nostalgic tone imparts peace, calm and a good feeling to all, who, have been, and are, fortunate to hear, and, hear it...Hearing Neil's exceptionally beautiful voice and his deeply moving songs feeds my soul, makes my day and brings me happiness and peace of mind...His is a talent, that, can only be described, as, sublime.

[@ms.communication8464]

MESMERIZING!!!!!!

[@IsaDesOsiers]

I love this video. Watch it every few years, usually through a desire to watch Dame Shirley Bassey singing in live. Then this comes up, and reminds me of how divine Neil Diamond was when a young man, so unusual and so beautiful, a pure poet.

[@IC-OLD]

Here I am AGAIN... I will NEVER get enough of this one. It is just só .... let me say I LOVE THEM. ENDLESSLY!!! ❤️

[@trudilm3864]

I've been drawn to this footage for years now. It's so live and vibrant - a time when he still felt it and meant it and wasn't going through the motions.

[@jackiemcmeekin6551]

What a great Christmas Special! I watch this all the time. Neil was so young here, so handsome. What passion and emotion as he sings these three great songs that he composed. What talent, what an ‘icon’. He and Shirley have great chemistry as they perform!! 🥰👍☺️

[@jefflibby6881]

Her eyes are playing me ,what a look they give each other pure love.

[@LenHummelChannel]

Ahhhhh, in the days when we were young and thought & dreamed the world was ours to play and love and go on forever...

[@louiscostello6907]

Len Hummel

[@pauloflaviocasalinovo4684]

Bom demais .

[@kellylynnmitchell9005]

@ Len Hummel....If only we could go back to those days!

[@charles5596]

Wow what a beautiful man

[@McGravity1]

What a fabulous pair - pity they didn't do more duets.

[@babeslopez4536]

Perfect duo!!! I wish I was the one singing with Neil D.....Great performance....Want to see more....

[@veraagudo2932]

Eu sou uma apaixonada.....por ele....e olha que desde criança...na adolescência. ..e na terceira idade....

[@69er775]

I was there ♥️

[@patriciofuentesduran753]

Cómo no recordar Noche cálida de Agosto en el Teatro Griego de Los Angeles en el año 1972, una presentación memorable y un Concierto de culto para los amantes de la buena música. Y verlo al lado de la Dama Bond (Shirley Bassey), sencillamente maravilloso, espectacular, dos grandes interpretes. Septiembre 2020.-

[@lisalisagraven]

OMG........ you can't fake that kind of connection!!!!!!!!!!

[@victorr.granillop.5218]

Lisa Graven venga a México hermosa. muy buen gusto de música

[@johnparker8588]

Neil couldn’t leave the stage in those tight pants until all the lights were turned off.

[@DecaturCentaur]

Chemistry like I've never seen before, and a honesty & talents to as near to perfection as humanly possible. I'm in awe.

[@garylaubscher4487]

Something going on there!!!!!!!!!!

[@marymanning5150]

I saw this when it was televised and I was blown away by their connection. He practically eats her with his eyes. If a man looked at me like that I marry him.

[@yadventina9503]

I like it.Thnx n I love you.

[@sujitghosh3674]

My father introduced Deil Diamond to me when i was young many years ago. I loved his powerful voice and thought of my strong father. Started working and lost touch with music and now at 56, my father passed away at 87 last year. When i listened to Neil Diamond's song BE, i felt like crying and remembered my father and i thanked GOD & him for giving again a real soulful pleasure in life. Now just listening to the great voice seems to reconnect me to my soul.

[@kathleenr.6034]

I wish, ....I wish we all just had ONE wish in life,..............One wish to meet someone you have always wanted to meet. Mine would be Neil Diamond. Oh what I would give to just meet him. You have made me so happy with your songs. May God bless you forever more!

[@raymatthews7624]

Thank god fro records, that we can relive these moments. Has the will never come again. This art form is gone.

[@facelessman6865]

One of my fav Neil tunes, I have mist of his albums.

[@lyndajordan6479]

Love Neil Diamond.

[@lohheidpipingschool1]

God ...... She is stunning !!

[@zairethurdapilleta7995]

Neil Diamond is wonderful. I love his songs.

[@jeancoombs4241]

zaireth urdapilleta ABBA rock me

[@RavinderKumar-xw8bw]

sorry, meant ,incomparable voices ,love them ,God bless them abundantly

[@kathyalexander2555]

I just can't get over his voice, what a great voice he has I would have melted into a puddle at his feet, mercy!

[@aliaattas2590]

I just can't get over his voice, what a great voice he has

[@santuccipontarelli3763]

Alia Attas one of a kind voice His voice not only sings. It makes love ❤️

[@deanmiller7975]

Neil melts my heart:) That voice is like silk...and with such genuine feelings behind the words.

[@deanmiller7975]

Dean MillerThis is Judy Miller lol....Dean's wife:)

[@ann-gretefrederiksen7496]

Dean Miller he is the man niel diamond wonderfull my goodness.

[@charles5596]

You still got Dean , Judy , LOL

[@edichong1]

Neil does his thing like no other singer could; haunting for her and memorable for him. Gives both the sense of being into the music and total involvement in the score.

[@TacoVeldstraGrutte]

Play me with Neil Diamond and Shirley Bassey..merveilleux!

[@lamoinedionne3110]

SEE THE EMOTION BETWEEN THESE TWO!! SIZZLING!!

[@anamariaminisale]

Nail tu voz es única como tu canciones que son himnos❤

[@cannotsay5505]

She is pure eargasm

[@zoelopez1426]

That chemistry 🔥

[@The911sierra]

I would have melted into a puddle at his feet, mercy!

[@christinehaigh9807]

Shirley is really cute and Neil is so handsome. Amazing performance indeed!!!!!!!!

[@SergioRamosrealestate]

beautiful music and the best performer Neil Diamond

[@Junjo11]

It was two performers....you failed to mention Shirley Bassey. Who is also a great singer and performer. Both Neil and Shirley are very good singers

[@charles5596]

He is a beautiful specimen

[@dianeflood9460]

Fabulous performance

[@babeslopez4536]

Great duo...sideward, frontal, backward views...I found myself singing the same song, likewise the other two.....they lifted my spirit...I enjoyed watching ....Am now 75 y.o. but here I feel like an 18-yr old debutante swaying and making body movements.....Great Neil....luv ya...

[@carmelacaporossi]

The best duet! Great chemistry! Great talent ! Neil Damond singing Sweet Caroline and Longfellow Serenade two of his best..and Shirley Bassey such a great artist..

[@rebeccarankin2691]

What a great combo. Magic together!! Simply Magic!

[@valerieasebedo767]

Oh my goodness that was so intimate ❤️

[@doctorkhan4378]

Have been listening to the king & queen for some 43 years while in late teens. Used to make us fly in dreams! It's always like coming back home. Pure gold!

[@johnquist8234]

Play me, Neil Diamond and Shirley Bassey live 1974. Mind blowing.

[@ruelmichelin6476]

Even decades cannot diminish such exquisite delivery bound by musical passion, and the flawless quality that defines this rendition from two of music's brilliant exponents.

[@BaldwinBay]

Breathing performance! Shirley makes me tremble. The look in her eyes...

[@The911sierra]

Next!!! I'm next!!! Mercy.....

[@cycom2500]

My God those two MUST have hit it off back stage .....WOW

[@kerwyngriffin]

I,am blown away, simply the best.

[@Thelmajeanne]

Man, a blind man could feel that chemistry with his stick ! !

[@annettah13]

Thank you for the video

[@rhinoface1]

Absolute perfection!

[@ajb1776]

There are no singers like these in this 21st century. What a shame! Diamond and Bassey are legends without comparison.

[@Junjo11]

Aaron Neville and Linda Ronstadt matches this beautiful performance in 1989 when they sing the song." Don't Know Much"

[@pamelacoyer7435]

Great!!

[@glenyssites4175]

Perfection🥰

[@doogboy]

WOW!

[@joannepereira5080]

Wow they have so much chemistry together is like they making love singing 🎤😍Amazing 🤩🙌👏👏👏💕

[@sweetpea0273]

I am so happy to be able to see this Neil Diamond Video . He sounded so prefect ... He has so much music in his soul his movement shows it .. Only Neil can sing his songs the best in the world for me .. God loves u Neil Diamond . He is listening to your music & has always been carrying u when u were so lonely !!!! Peace & love sent to u Mr. Neil Diamond !!! Thanks for entertaining your fans with your love of music for all these years .. ~~love Ava~~~

[@martagurska8430]

My God. This is an irresistible man !!!!!!

[@JSEMOR]

Whats so special about this TV recording is the Song.\.Shirley & Neil.\..and the chemistry between them. ..I have seen Shirley on stage many times, but there has only been one recorded performance of them singing together.

[@shirlegirling6830]

Have always loved Shirley's singing,also Sir Tom Jones. Both from Wales, the Land of Song. Watched her life story on TV

[@ronrichardson3103]

I agree very moving .

[@conniecarpenter5947]

BEAUTIFUL DUET WITH THE TWO OF THEM....

[@ricfletch]

Such chemistry x

[@RudolphFurtado]

A unforgettable duet of the 1970's."PLAY ME" .

[@aquiestoyyoporquesi]

Me encanta su música